I was executor to an elderly friend, J F (Jeff) Cooper and amongst his effects, I discovered this photograph of nurses at Somerville College in Oxford, taken during the war when it was in use as a military hospital. Jeff Cooper served in the Artists Rifles in France. When he was wounded in August 1918, he was repatriated to England and was told he was going to Newcastle. On the journey, he became aware that others were going to Somerville in Oxford. Jeff had a scholarship to Jesus College, Oxford which he intended to take up after the war and he was able to persuade the Medical Officer at Dover that it would be more suitable to send him to Oxford rather than Newcastle. To his amazement, his request was granted and he was subsequently able to recount how he was at Somerville, a women's college, before he was up at Jesus! || Photograph of nurses (Mac, Hutchings and McDougall) at the Somerville Section, 3rd Southern General Hospital, Oxford.

My grandmother, Mary Jamieson also known as Mary Cameron, seated 2nd left. She was a forewoman with the 2/28th Artists Rifles and spent some time stationed outside Lille. Unfortunately her service records do not survive. The WAACs (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) were formed early in 1917 so this will be the approximate date of the photo. || || Women || Imperial Forces || Other

painting of an officer of the Royal Irish Rifles in ceremonial dress